Ready to learn my go-to dressing that’s perfect for salads, bowls, falafel, and more?
Allow me to introduce my 3-ingredient tahini dressing that’s so delicious it’s like liquid gold. I always have some on hand!
What is Tahini?
Tahini is made by grinding sesame seeds into a smooth paste. Sometimes the sesame seeds are hulled, sometimes they’re left unhulled; sometimes roasted, sometimes raw. Our favorite way to use tahini? THIS tahini dressing!
Origin of Tahini
Tahini is an Arabic name for ground sesame seeds. However, its origins are thought to have been in Persia, where it was called “ardeh.” Tahini later found its way to other parts of the world and was held as a delicacy as sesame seeds were rather expensive to procure. In some cultures, tahini was even used as currency. (source) We hope you LOVE this easy dressing that’s perfect for salads, falafel, roasted veggies, and more!
How to Make Tahini Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup tahini (ground sesame seeds – I love Alexis brand! For other brands, see our tahini review)
- 1 medium lemon, juiced (1 medium lemon yields ~3 Tbsp or 45 ml)
- 1-2 Tbsp maple syrup (or sub agave – or honey if not vegan)
- 1 pinch sea salt (optional)
- 1 clove garlic (minced // optional)
- Water (to thin // ~3-6 Tbsp or 45-90 ml as original recipe is written)
Instructions
- To a medium mixing bowl, add tahini, lemon juice, and maple syrup. If adding salt and garlic, add now (optional).
- Whisk to combine. Then slowly add water until creamy and pourable. The mixture may seize up and thicken at first, but continue adding water a little at a time and whisking until creamy and smooth.
- Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more lemon juice for acidity, salt for saltiness, or maple syrup for sweetness.
- Enjoy fresh, or store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 5 days (sometimes longer). This is delicious on things like Salads, Falafel, Fritters, Buddha Bowls, and more!
Video
Notes
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without salt or garlic.
Jill says
This dressing was a lovely surprise. I tossed it with a chicken salad and it made a great change from my usual vinaigrette. I’m looking forward to using the leftover dressing on something else in the next few days. Will definitely make it again.
We’re so glad you enjoyed the dressing, Jill. Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Jennifer says
This is absolutely the best dressing recipe. Whenever I make it I triple the recipe—we love it that much. This is especially wonderful on a crisp green salad with falafel and pita bread. I’ve made this recipe so many times and needed to just stop and say thank you for this and all the other great recipes and beautiful photography. Thank you!
We’re so glad you enjoy it, Jessica! Thank you so much for the kind words and support. xo
Susan says
I made this and now, it’s my go to dressing! I’ve made other tahini dressings, but they do not compare! It’s the hint of sweetness from the maple syrup. Really delicious. I put this on chicken and brussel sprouts mixed into greens. Delicious!
Whoop! We’re so glad you love this one, Susan. Thank you for sharing! xo
Coulinjo says
It is delicious with 1/2 tsp of rice bran syrup (that was the only sweetener I had on hand and it just took the edge off the bitterness of the tahini). I made it in my mini blender so it also looks amazing! Thank you for posting🙂
Lovely! Thank you for sharing, Coulinjo! xo
Joni says
Oh, the yummness! Perfect!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Joni! xoxo
Chris says
I used three large cloves of garlic, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon of cider vinegar. no sweetener. Perfect!
Patricia says
I made this recipe with all the stated ingredients. It’s the best tahinni sauce I have every made. So easy, so smooth, so delicious. 10/10
Thank you
Whoop! We’re so glad you enjoy this recipe, Patricia. Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Colleen says
So easy and delicious, just wondering if I can freeze leftover sauce
We’re so glad you enjoy it, Colleen! We wouldn’t recommend freezing it.
Barbara says
I’ve looked and looked for a recipe to make Tahini dressing! This one is the BEST!! I’m in love!!!
We’re so glad you enjoy it, Barbara! Thanks so much for the lovely review. xo
Carolyn Moorman says
This dressing was perfection! Thank you for your content!
We’re so glad you enjoyed, Carolyn! Thanks for sharing. xo
Michael W. says
This is delicious as a salad dressing, and it also makes a great dip for apples and other fruit. I used only one tablespoon of maple syrup (I’m supposed to avoid complex carbohydrates), and I found it to be quite sweet enough. Thank you for the recipe!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Michael. Thank you for sharing!
Heather says
Amazing served it over Vegan Shawarma with Roasted Cauliflower and Chickpeas
Yum, that sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing, Heather!
Lynn says
1 TBSP of raw honey was way way way way way too sweet! I even tried doubling the recipe and it was still too sweet! (Unfortunately I didn’t have any maple syrup.) What are disappointment and what a waste of ingredients!
We’re so sorry that happened, Lynn!
Joanna Levine says
Thank you for this delicious simple recipe- love throwing it all in the bullet to blend ❤️
We’re so glad you enjoy it, Joanna. That’s a great idea to throw it in the bullet. Thank you for sharing! xo
Rachel mimeles says
This recipe is fabulous. Will be using on repeat.
We’re so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Rachel! Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Lisa says
This was absolutely delicious, I didn’t have lemons so I had to substitute apple cider vinegar but it came out great. I will be making this on a regular basis. Thank you for introducing me to a way to use tahini other than hummus.
You’re so welcome! We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Lisa! xoxo
Learning to count says
I ma be wrong here, but that is not a 3 ingredient dressing.
1- tahini
2-lemon
3-garlic
4-maple syrup
5-salt
And if you want to count the h20,
6- water
Garlic and salt are both optional and we don’t include water in the ingredient count.
Chantal says
Delicious, Nice consistancy
Thank you for the lovely, Chantal! xoxo
Lucy S. says
I made this and poured it over a baked sweet pita with cooked kale, quinoa, & black beans. SO delicious!
That sounds SO good, Lucy! Thank you for sharing! xo
Lucy S. says
That’s sweet potato!! Not sweet pita.
Heidi A. says
Oh man! Now I am obsessed! This dressing makes plain Romaine sing! And it is wonderful with all my favorite salad items, artichoke hearts, pepita’s, avocado, pickled beets. Please do try it 💗
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Heidi! Thanks so much for the lovely review. xo
Jeanie Griggs says
How much does ⅓ cup of tahini weigh? Would much rather see recipes written with weights — way easier!
Hi Jeanie, it’s 80 grams tahini. Just above the listed ingredients it says “US Customary – Metric”, if you click “Metric” it shows you the weight for each ingredient in a recipe. Hope this helps!
Deb says
Thank you for adding metric link!